3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is a way to make three-dimensional objects by building them one layer at a time from digital plans. This technology allows for detailed customization, which normal manufacturing methods can’t easily do. The ability to make exact, patient-specific implants has made 3D printing useful in veterinary surgery, where animals have very different bone shapes and sizes.
Prof. Yahya Bozkurt, who studies manufacturing technologies, has shown that this technology’s flexibility and accuracy help in making implants and prostheses designed for each patient. In veterinary uses, animals often have complex bone or joint problems that general implants can’t fix well. With 3D printing, implants can be made to fit the exact shape of an animal’s body, which leads to better fit, faster healing, and better results after surgery.
Custom-fitted implants help surgeons work with more accuracy, especially for animals with bone problems. These implants are made using detailed images like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, which show the exact area that needs care. This information is used to create a digital model that guides the printer to build an implant that fits the animal’s bones perfectly.
Using 3D printed implants can lower the “stress shielding” effect. This happens when implants don’t fit well and cause uneven pressure on bones, which can slow down healing or create problems. Yuanhao Wu and his team found that 3D printed implants with smart designs reduce this issue and fit better with the body. This means that implants made this way work more naturally with the animal’s tissue and help healing.
Research from veterinary medical centers like UC Davis shows that advanced imaging and radiology tools work well with 3D printing by giving clear, real-time pictures during surgery. UC Davis’s Veterinary Medical Center treats over 900 emergency and intensive care patients monthly. Using custom implants here allows surgeries to be more exact and less invasive. This helps animals heal faster and lowers the risks that come with normal surgeries.
IT managers are important for supporting and linking 3D printing with hospital software and imaging machines. Making sure data moves smoothly between imaging devices (like MRI and CT) and 3D modeling software is needed for designing and making implants without problems.
Besides 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming useful in veterinary medicine, especially for diagnosis and office tasks. AI programs can study complex medical data faster and more accurately than older methods. For example, veterinarians at UC Davis made AI tools that find diseases like Addison’s disease and leptospirosis in dogs. These tools are more than 99% accurate and never miss cases. This helps vets make quick and correct decisions for treatment.
In clinics and hospitals, AI can help with front desk work by answering routine phone calls, booking appointments, and managing questions. For example, companies like Simbo AI offer phone automation services that reduce the workload on staff. With AI handling repetitive tasks, clinics can spend more time caring for animals and less time dealing with phones and emails.
In surgery, AI can work with 3D printing by quickly making precise models from imaging data. AI can also predict how implants will behave inside the body and warn of problems before implants are made. It can suggest design changes that improve the success of custom surgeries.
Still, research and trials in the U.S. and other countries show these technologies are becoming more accepted. Places like UC Davis keep improving with new tools like the MILE-PET® scanner and less invasive vascular surgery that adds to custom implant use.
In the future, new materials will likely be available that are safe for the body and last longer. Using 3D printed implants together with AI-driven diagnosis and surgery plans will make care for animals more personal and accurate. Also, new work in tissue engineering and organ printing might create solutions beyond implants, like lab-made tissues for repairs or replacements.
Veterinary surgery in the United States is changing because of 3D printing and AI. Custom implants made this way give surgeons tools that match the exact shape of each animal. This leads to better surgeries and faster recovery.
Veterinary practice owners and administrators can get benefits from these technologies by improving both clinical care and how their clinics operate. IT teams will find ways to connect imaging, 3D printing, and AI tools to help with medical and office work.
Advanced centers like UC Davis show what is possible when 3D printing, AI, and other medical tech come together. As these tools become easier to get, many veterinary hospitals and clinics can offer better care through more exact and personalized treatment.
Practice leaders interested in new technology should see how 3D printing and AI tools like those from Simbo AI can improve patient care and clinic workflows. Using these tools today can help raise the quality of veterinary medicine in the future.
Veterinarians at UC Davis developed AI algorithms to detect diseases like Addison’s and leptospirosis, achieving over 99% accuracy in diagnosing Addison’s and 100% sensitivity for leptospirosis, enabling quicker detection and critical decision-making for pet care.
Dr. Krystle Reagan and her team utilize AI to recognize complex patterns in blood work, significantly improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosing certain diseases in dogs.
AI tools are being developed to optimize the detection of various veterinary diseases, enhancing prognosis and treatment options for pets.
The MILE-PET® scanner allows assessment of injuries in horses and can monitor healing, greatly benefiting the equine racing industry.
Custom-fitted, 3D-printed titanium implants are now used for surgeries like total hip replacements, promising healthier, longer lives for pets suffering from hip disorders.
It involves real-time imaging for minimally invasive procedures, revolutionizing surgeries for companion animals and improving outcomes in cancer treatments and other conditions.
A multidisciplinary team approach ensures comprehensive treatment, exemplified by the successful care of a Thoroughbred foal suffering from sepsis, addressing multiple medical aspects collaboratively.
The lab works on gamete physiology and embryo development, with advancements like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) facilitating complex reproduction processes in horses.
Novel therapies like electrochemotherapy and immunotherapy are emerging, enhancing treatment efficacy for pets with tumors and leveraging clinical trials for improved outcomes.
Innovative procedures like minimally invasive stenting and electrophysiology mappings improve diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, previously only available at selected facilities.
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